Five most dangerous 'road warrior' teams in Georgia playoffs

The playoffs are a week away in the state of Georgia. There is still a slate of games on the docket for this week.

There are a few programs that suffered a few losses during the regular season that have begun to play their best football at the right time of the fall.

Once the playoffs begin, everyone is at zero. Here are five teams that could make their way to Atlanta despite being lower seeds and playing on the road likely throughout the journey.

Warner Robins

The central Georgia powerhouse is still full of players who played in the 2023 state championship game loss to Ware County.

Warner Robins lost four games on their way to the championship game that year. The Demons closed out their regular season with a win over their region’s champions Perry. The Demons looked like a complete team.

They have star power in two Georgia commits Isaiah Gibson and Rasean Dinkins. They also have the ability to make explosive plays and they have a mobile quarterback who can operate at a high level throwing the ball down the field and in the intermediate game.

They’re a tough bunch, so they won’t fear any situation.

Benedictine

Another team from Region 1-4A. This region is made up of former state champions.

Warner Robins was in back-to-back state championship games in 2022 and 2023 in 5A. Perry won 4A in 2024. Benedictine won 4A in 2022 and 2023.

Like Warner Robins, Benedictine has a lot of players who had roles as youngsters on teams that won championships.

Benedictine also has some star power in the playmaker category. Bubba Frazier is one of the state’s top playmakers. Benedictine quarterback Stephen Cannon can make every throw asked of a quarterback.

The Cadets have a culture of winning. They are going to be a tough out for anyone.

Gainesville

The Red Elephants have high expectations every fall. They made a run to the state championship game in Josh Niblett’s first season as head coach.

They have continued to build a well-rounded operation on Lake Lanier since. There’s a lot of talent on Gainesville’s roster.

Their two region losses were competitive and close football games. Milton is one of the favorites in 5A after winning the final 7A championship in 2024.

Gainesville is a comparable football team. They’re well-coached and have enough talent to make a run. Gainesville has played a tough regular season schedule, they’re well aware of what it feels like to be under pressure.

Jones County

Jones County is one of the best-kept secrets in middle Georgia. The Greyhounds have a long list of athletes that will be highly recruited soon.

Their two losses were one-score wars that happened over a month ago. Jones County hasn’t lost a football game in over a month.

In fact, no team has come close to competing with them in over a month. There’s something to be said for getting on that role and no matter the competition, you just have that feeling that you’re going to win.

Jones County has every right to be in that place as a football team right now.

Valdosta

The expectations are always high in South Georgia. Valdosta’s region is full of South Georgia high school football royalty programs.

The Tigers are still a fast, physical football team coached by one of the top coaches in the state in Shelton Felton.

Four-star Georgia commit Todd Robinson has been one of the most explosive playmakers in the state for the last two years. He is a big banged up but he has two weeks to heal for a playoff run.

Valdosta’s physicality and speed are going to match up with anyone in 6A. They dropped two rivalry games late in the season.

Giving this team a week to detach and rest and regenerate makes them dangerous as the calendar flips to November.

Five Road Underdogs that could break the brackets

• Houston County
• Coffee
• Cambridge
• Camden County
• Kell